Xmas is over...

A pretty quiet holiday this year. I didn't have to be Santa this year. Yey! As usual one stuffed oneself with too much Christmas food so that one nearly fell asleep on the sofa. Santa brougth a GPS for me and my darling. My darling was dileriously happy when I thought it was just ok. Got a massagethingie for the shower from my darling and a really nice red t-shirt with Little My on it from myself, of course. We got bedclothes from my father which is always needed. My darling's mother gave us a wok, colander and a mortar. His younger brother gave us wine. Very nice.

We're going home tomorrow for two days work and then up we go again on friday. We are now looking forward to New Years Eve. My darlings nieces are tagging along with us up on Friday. Always fun when you have two blondes in the company! I'm guessing we'll have a second Christmas then. It will be five years since me and my darling first met on New Years. Double celebration!

My cold finally caved in on Thursday so I was working on Friday. Didn't really have that much of a choice since the other to were either sick because of me or having a day off.

Cosy weekend turned cold

We had since some time planned a couple’s dinner with M and C on Saturday. My darling caught a major cold, just because, on Thursday. Not so much fun, and he is not that nice when he is sick either, but he wouldn’t not listen to my urge to cancel. We were going to exchange Christmas presents and everything. So he tried some well known remedies, Enchinagard and vitamin C tablets. Food and presents were bought. We had planned another present from the beginning but since that needed a sort of get together during the Christmas Holiday we had to change it. They got a chocolate fondue-set. Really pretty as well. On the menu there was artichoke as a starter, beef with garlic potato wedgies as main course and ice cream for dessert plus coffee, cookies and “lussebulle”. Very tasty. We got a “make-a-baby-kit” from them which included a scented candle “seduction”, bath oil and chocolates both bought and homemade.

My darling had his own tactics for keeping the cold at a standstill, vast amounts of whiskey and wine, which led to falling asleep on the sofa during the TP-playoff, which then led to that the girls actually beat the boys for once in a while! :D Nice! We therefore went to bed kind of early.

I woke up with a sour throat on Sunday and today it is worse. I went home from work by lunch and will be home tomorrow at least. My darling is still sick and is sitting and feeling rather sorry for himself in the sofa. Tomorrow we will lay on opposite sides of the sofa and feel miserable together. ;)

To party with a "celebrity"

On Saturday my friend L had a house warming party. It was very pleasant. L had also invited FCZ-Tore since they went to school together. We have known him nearly five years though the fraternities in Stockholm. Now he has become “famous” through the TV-show FCZ where geeks are taught how to play football. He is bit strange to begin with, so nothing has really changed. Possible he has become more peculiar. At L’s we started to see some tendencies from being famous, name dropping and such. He also told us that he had been offered a new TV-show.

My darling, Tore and L

(better photos may come if I get any...)

Then it was time to move on out in to the night. Me and my darling had decided not to follow, but were easily persuaded to tag along. And it was a blast! We went to Lemon Bar, a small place at Kungsholmen with no entrance fee and nice Eurovision-song-contest-music or as we call it in Sweden, Schalger. It doesn’t get any better a Saturday night. The only problem was that the place was crowded and there took for ever to get to the bar, the wardrobe and toilet. Lucky one has party bladder! ;) We also met up with a colleague of mine. Nobody seemed impressed by Tore’s proficiency with the pole… I wonder why? *ashamed* But if you are celebrity you are a celebrity. Me and my darling had fun anyways with L and J.

Christmas party

So this years Christmas party is done. I’m actually positively surprised. I had heard a lot of negative things about the location (Jakthornet) and how it was last year, so I had low expectations. Though they had a seating plan it was very pleasant, the food was good and they did not tight-fisted with the wine. I was a bit disappointed with the dessert though. On the menu it said “Pannacotta with fresh berries”. Hm, jam is NOT fresh berries. Otherwise on the menu there was salmon as a starter and contra filet with potato gratin and gravy. Very tasty. Santa came with a thermos to me, it was very nice presents this year, mixed variety of “unnecessary” thingies, candle holders, table cloths and other stuff.

The pannacotta with "fresh" berries...

Then the party continued at Undici. As always. Please find a new place! I’m wondering if they get paid for taking us there. The place is not that good anyways. I was on my way there, but thought I would be able to catch my bus, but I had misunderstood my darling and the bus had already left. No use in waiting either since the next bus had no connection with little Rimbo. So I took the subway to Mörby so that I could get to an ATM to get some money to use the payphone. I bought a hotdog as to get some change for the phone then I realised that you could pay with your visa. Clever Maria. So I spent one and a half hour outside waiting for my bus. Not that amusing actually, but the two young girls with the wine tetra had more fun. I told my darling to meet me at the busstop, but no darling was waiting so I began walking the darker, scarier way home, no darling on the way. Lots of not so nice sounds from the forest around. My darling was sound asleep in the sofa. I was not amused.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

8,4 below zero, a layer of snow and a mail in my inbox telling me that Becoming Jane is now available for reservation. Yey me! Glorious day indeed! The release date is set to 30th of January 2008. It comes rather cheap, only 169 SEK. I think I’m going to make a reservation now! *bouncing* I’m totally obsessed with the movie and the history behind it. It just sooo good! If you have not seen it, SEE IT NOW! Tom Lefroy is played by dashing James McAvoy and Jane Austen by Anne Hathaway.
(from bbc.co.uk)

“Based on a true story from Jane Austen’s life, that came to influence her success as a writer and much loved authoress. The movie is set when Jane is 22 years old and still unmarried, something that is bothering her parents.

But then one of the wealthy men in Hampshire makes her a proposal and Jane’s family accepts on her behalf. At the same time Jane falls in love with the Irisman Tom Lefroy who is spending the summer with relatives in Jane’s hometown. Tom has been neglecting his studies in London and is sent to the country as punishment. The couple begin a romance. But with Tom’s reputation and the decision of Jane’s family the romance can only have one ending…”

The description above is taken from cdon.com and may not entirely be true to what actually happened. If you are interested in the real story about Jane and Tom please visit the Becoming Jane Fansite for more information and facts regarding the two.

(from abc.net.au)

T PLUS 2 days.

And it feels pretty darn fine. It is so nice to know how my days are going to turn out. I can plan my free time now. And I know how my pay check is going to look like.

The week end was quiet. I had the day off on Friday so I took the time to go and get my hair done. Nice new hair style and a new colour as well. Went brown instead of red this time. I am very pleased with it! :)

On Saturday we went to my father’s for a nice taco dinner. My sister was visiting from the cold north. I haven’t seen her since last Christmas so it was about time! I do miss her sometimes, though she is usually quite irritating as younger siblings can be.

I got a letter...

I do not know whether to laugh or cry.

I have been invited to a newly opened night club called Ambassadeur which is for us “who does not grow any younger”. How does that feel? I do not concider myself that old, I have quite recently turned 27. The age limit is 25 for us that “is a bit older but still young.”! At the end of the paper they write: “Psst! You who finds showing of ID complimenting may feel acknowledged at our place.”. As I said, should one laugh or cry? But I got a free pass for me and a friend. Free of charge is good. One should perhaps go and check it out some day? They think I would like, although they are promising “tasteful house”. Hmm, I don’t like that kind of music. And since when is house tasteful?! Well, taste differ I suppose.

T minus 6 days and counting [update]

The deed is done. Not that there were any discussion regarding my salary to talk about. I asked if the amount on the contract was final. And it was. For the time being anyways. That is what you get for changing contracts in the middle of a “term”, and then you have to go with the flow. She promised me a bigger rise in the spring when there are salary negotiations again. I am very pleased with having a monthly salary now with all the holidays coming. It feels safe. I don’t need to worry about how much my pay check will be from now on (yes, well not more than that it could be larger).

But, alas, I will miss these involuntary free days that can make a whole week!

T minus 6 days and counting

I’m going to the office today to talk about my new assignment. It is a bit scary. We are going to talk about my new monthly salary (have been paid a guaranteed salary of 133 hrs a month before). I never know what to demand and I am too nice and can never stand up for myself. I have searched the net for the average salary for a person with my position so now I have a starting point anyway. I do want to raise my salary a bit of course. I have to feel that I benefit on taking this whole time position.

I haven’t been working for three weeks now. I’m starting to realize that this is the last week when I’m relatively free and unbound. I have only Thursday planned and then I’m going to my new workplace for an introduction. I’m so glad that I’ve taken a few days of after new year’s!

Krim and me on a stroll!

Lovely day! :)

The weather is great today. A really beautiful winter’s day. The sun is shining and it is a couple degrees below zero. Of course this calls for a long walk with the doggie. J Krim loves snow! Especially he likes to play excavator with his lower jaw so that he gets a mouth full. This results in coughing most of the time. But it does not prevent him to take another bite of the ice cold snow, to his mistress vexation.

Krim the Rottweiler

It looks like I’m not working today either. Nice in a way, but I’m getting tired of just hanging around the flat doing nothing. The only good thing is that I have a larger guaranteed salary now, 150 h per month even if I don’t work. It is ok. And it is only one and a half week till I start the new post at Uni and then it won’t be any more days off until Christmas, holidays and vacation.

I found a picture from Saturday that I took with my mobile. Hmm I wonder if I missed some adjustment or something… But I’m guessing it clearly illustrates my Saturday night. ;)

I think I’m trying to catch the band…

It's snowing!

At last! It has been snowing like everywhere but here the last couple of days! And now it is snowing like mad! Cosy. But not so enjoyable to walk the dog. Dressed in gloves, scarf, cap and my winter coat it went ok.

Aw! We got tickets for Iron Maiden in June! Yey us! Finally we are actually going! Well, of course it depends on if I've got someone living in my belly or not. Then I guess I have to reconsider. Anyways! Yey! (yes, I have been indoctrinated!) I can't wait!

(picutre from rockguiden.se)

Girl's night out

Wow, what a Saturday! We were supposed to be four girls, but in the end it was only me and Lotta who swaggered over to Engelen. We had loads of fun anyways! The entrance fee was a bit hefty, but after two bottles of wine at Lotta’s place we were on the move and eager to dance. After a short pit stop at the ladies we went for the bar and the live band. Unbelievingly loads of people everywhere! We had to fight our way to the bar. I was quite astonished that the clientele was rather middle aged (read: like 10 years older than me). A tequila went down and then a beer. On stage was Farbror Fläsk. A cool cover band and it was hard not to sing along.

More drinks and down it went to the dance floors. At Engelen you do not have to be afraid of being alone. Seriously. People (read: non Swedish men) cannot leave you alone. Sure, it is nice to be appreciated and my self esteem got a real boost. But oh how I longed for my beau. We had a blast and I am still in shock that I got to the subway in time to catch the last bus home. And I was not sober at all! My darling had heaps of fun over me when he met me half way home.

(a picture says more than a thousand words!)

Yesterday I have to admit that I rather regretted the vast amounts of alcohol that went down on Saturday. Sunday was spent in the sofa in a heap of self pity and with my darling as my servant. What would I do without him? *kisses for you my darling!*

sick of being sick

I'm still a sicko. Stopped up nose, sore throat, blocked up ears and still a slight fever. I called work and told them that I will not work for the rest of the week. Nemas problemas. I sound sicker than I feel. ;) But it still feels bad to call in sick when you have had almost a weeks vacation and two sickdays last week. But there it is. Nothing more to do, eh? I don't want to run around and pass on my cold to everybody else and sound like a bellows a soon as I happen to move.

Today we are going home. It has been snowing, lovely. If it weren't for the fact that we still have our summer tyers on. It looked like it would remain mild when we left home... Our usual luck. Well, we have to take it slow and hopefully it will be ok. :)

Enjoy the silence

Quietness has now entered our life and now we can enjoy our three days left of vacation and my darlings birthday.

But the weekend was a blast. What fun we had on Friday! The whole house was filled with relatives. Relatives I did not even know my darling had. Well, not even he knew! ;) Yes, some of them was just former in-laws, but who’s counting? We were about 25 I think. 7 kids under 18, ok two of them turns 18 in February. It was such a good time! Everybody was happy and so nice. Well, of course some of them got a few more beers into their belly than they should, but no harm done. My father in lay only turns 60 once. The kids were loud, but quite cute and now I don’t have to long for children for a while. The female side of the family cheered when we told them that we are trying for the next generation. They also wanted us married so that they could come to a wedding soon. We’ll have to see about that! pictures are found here

Now I sit here with a nasty cold and enjoying the silence. The last guests left yesterday evening. You could almost hear a needle drop.

Tomorrow is my darling’s birthday and I guess we’ll go and see his mother and grandparents and collect gifts and cake. A quiet birthday. And on Wednesday it is time to go home again…

A pleasant Sunday apart for the bronze

The weekend was peaceful as ever. We are preparing for next weekend’s 60-years celebration! Saturday was spent grocery shopping (we spent over 1000 sek! That is a first in our couple-history!), washing up and cleaning. I had thought to get my hair done as well, but as I got to the hair dresser a sign on the door said "men’s drop in only". Hello? Where was that sign in Friday when I passed by? My hair is in serious need of cutting. The hair dresser was at Gimo Herrgård getting pampered. Alas, I have to wait. Thank God for hair pins!

Yesterday was spent infront of the telly. Football with Micke and Cissi. Our beloved DIF was unsuccessful in their attempt for the Gold and lost to BP and Kalmar FF came from nowhere and kicked in two nil against AIK, so we finished third. IFK Göteborg had the indecensy to make two goals at Trelleborg. It was not at all fun. But the pleasant company made the loss a bit more bareable and we tucked in a nice taco-dinner to the strains of Sarah Brightman (a lot of grown up points in spite of the "simple" food) and in the light of a vast amount of candles.

Stop invading!

In the mornings I am in my own little world. I don’t like people invading my little country. I want to inhabit it alone. It is my private sphere, my bubble if you like. I’m sitting on the bus, minding my own business, listening to my music and reading my paper. Suddenly someone sits down next to me. It’s fine. But when this person starts invading my bubble I begin to feel uncomfortable. Who sits and plays “footsie” at the 06:55-bus to Stockholm?! Seriously, leave my feet alone! Keep to your side of the seat! Involuntary bodily contact is not wanted in the morning. Half lying down in the seat with legs wide apart and half leaning on my shoulder he sits a while, then he begins fidgeting, moving and changing position every five seconds. Stop it! I cry inwardly. But not out loud of course, I am Swedish. I clench my teeth and continue reading my paper and don’t let it show that I am irritated of this invasion. Suddenly I feel my neighbour’s leg against mine! Oh horrid thought! What is he doing? His foot is resting on mine. Why? Leave my feet alone! Seriously, you keep your body parts to yourself on the bus! Had it been a late Saturday night in a bar I might have been flattered, but an early October morning? I should think not!

When changing bus I get a new seat neighbour. She smells like the old outhouse at our former country house, when grandma had just cleaned the portable toilet, clean but still a bit musty. If you are going to wear perfume, could you at least choose one that smells nice? Not like an old outhouse?

So don’t mess with me in the morning! I might bite…

Candlelit dinner

We had a real cozy evening on Saturday. Lit candles in the entire apartment and made a nice dinner that we actually enjoyed at our dinner table (we usually sit by the telly in the sofa)! This was followed by Dry Martinis and loads of wine. I found myself rather tipsy at the end of the evening, much to my surprise. I didn’t drink that much did I?

Sunday was spent accordingly in the sofa watching Coupling and Men in Trees. Both very good shows.

Yes, it matches!

Yes, I got my new cellphone today, and guess what? It matches my engagement ring! Oh it is so nice, light and just so pretty! Me likie!

Nothing new has happened. I have been "off" work today. Just hanging around the flat doing absolutly nothing. I am very satisfied! ;)

Saturday's harvest

Yes so we went to the library yesterday. I went home with a stack of books. But, alas, the shelf where there ought to be Lessing-books was screaming with emptiness. Well, that suits me good for being late. I discovered, much to my happiness, that the library actually closes two hours later than I had thought on Mondays to Thursdays. Oh lucky me! I can actually fit it in after work when needed! Three Austen-books got to follow me home, Emma, Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park. All in English. I need to practice, I have this notion in my head that I one of these days with write a magnificent romantic epos in English. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov and 9 ½ months by Annika Lantz found their way into my bag as well. I colleague of mine thought it a disgrace that I hadn't read anything by Nabokov yet. Me a lit. student and all! Well, we didn't read that much contemporary literature I said to my defense.

Also I ordered a new mobile phone for myself. It was about time. The one I have really just barely functions and is quite battered. Now my phone will be flashier than my beau's! At last! and it was free of charge, due to my extended commitment to my operator. I ordered a Sony Ericsson w880i and got speakers too! Very useful when you are on a boat between Sweden and Finland and are not too happy with the radio selection in the cabin.

I am very pleased with the weekend so far. I'm going to tend to my geraniums later. They are moving inside from the balcony. So many I can fit that is. The others I have to move to the country house for their winter rest.

Finally Friday

This week has been sooo loooong. I have been longing for the weekend since Monday. Seriously! Even though I had Tuesday off, it feels like forever since I was home for a whole day. We have nothing planned more than going to the country house, to the supermarket and the library. Need some new books. Perhaps some books by Doris Lessing who got the Nobel Prize in Literature. I am ashamed to say that I have never read anything by her. But I'm determined to change that soon. :) Need another dose of Jane Austen as well, and this time, it's going to be in English. I really need to practice my English more!

Tonight it's television, wine and cheese!